Pakistan have the advantage - Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said that his side's recent exposure to Asian conditions compared to the other teams in the Asia Cup will play as important a role as coach Dav Whatmore's inside knowledge.

Few people are better qualified to coach a side in the Asia Cup than Whatmore, a man well-versed with the teams in the tournament. Born in Sri Lanka, the Australian has regularly shown an affinity and ability to work in the subcontinent.

His first major international coaching assignment was guiding Sri Lanka, a team regarded as minnows even in the early '90s, to the World Cup back in 1996. Then came an even bigger challenge in 2003 - of moulding the also-rans of Bangladesh into a competitive side. In four years under his charge, there continued to be many heavy defeats but memorable highs as well, including the shock win over Australia in Cardiff and the wrecking of India's 2007 World Cup campaign.

This was followed by a few years at India's National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, and coaching stints with the India A and Under-19 teams, including Virat Kohli's World Cup-winning one in 2008. Two seasons in charge of Kolkata Knight Riders imparted him more knowledge of the ways of Indian cricket.

Now he completes the subcontinental quartet by taking over as Pakistan's head coach. His first opponents are Bangladesh, the side he led in his previous international job. Misbah, though, said that another factor will be as crucial as Whatmore's inputs.

"He is contributing, but I think the main thing is we are playing a lot of cricket against Bangladesh," Misbah said. "We just had a series here [in December], we know each other, we know the strengths and weaknesses of each other. He can give us some input, but the players already know each other well."

Coaching Pakistan is one of the most exacting jobs in cricket, even for someone with Whatmore's vast experience, but he seems to have begun well. Misbah said the initial interactions between coach and team had been positive. "The sessions we have already had, it has gone well. The players are professionals, the coaches are also professional. We have to just gel together quickly, understand each other quickly. I see it going well."

Misbah highlighted several reasons for the Pakistan team to be confident of its chances in the tournament despite coming in after a 0-4 drubbing in the one-dayers against England previous month. "When we played some time back here, the team played really well in these conditions," he said, referring to their clean sweep of Bangladesh in both the Tests and one-dayers three months ago.

Over the past three months, India have been playing in Australia, while Sri Lanka have been touring South Africa and Australia, places where the pitches are vastly different to the ones likely to be served up in the Asia Cup. "We have a bit of an advantage in that we have been playing in Asia recently," Misbah said, before qualifying his statement. "But India and Sri Lanka have played a lot of tough cricket, and will return mentally tougher from there."

Misbah also urged his players to remember the team's outstanding record over the past year-and-a-half, instead of focussing on the recent limited-overs defeat to England. "Every game, every series is a different ball game," he said. "If you look at the series before, we have won six in a row and never lost a series. So this is part of the game. We were playing with one of the top sides in the world. What we want to do is just forget the one-day series, look forward and just play what we were playing before that series."

Another advantage for Pakistan is that, unusually, they seem the most settled team of the tournament. Bangladesh's prime minister had to step in to resolve a row between their chief selector and the board, Sri Lanka are still tussling with their board over payments due and have a mere four days between the end of their previous series and this one, and India have had a torturous tour of Australia which was plagued by rumours of a rift between senior players.

Today's press conference began with a stern reminder from Pakistan's media manager that the questions should pertain only to the Asia Cup. He needn't have bothered. Given the off-field issues bothering the rest of the teams, Pakistan's build-up has been smooth and controversy-free, with the appointment of the experienced Whatmore the only source of headlines.

@ rahulcricket007: but this Pathetic(?) tournament is the only assured clash between Ind & Pak- one of the most desired contest in Cricket World. It's the contest of Prestige 4 SL, IND, PAK as well as tourney of hope of rare accidents 4m BD team against Asian Giants tough yet to happen in Asia Cup.

imranmujtaba
on March 11, 2012, 8:48 GMT

Pakistan has got best combination in Asia cup but worse captain - if he is replace by Bangladesh, indian, srilankan or Afridi , then Pakistan will win undoubtedly.
still have a chance misbah bat number 8 or 9.

Sports4Youth
on March 11, 2012, 7:24 GMT

The Asia Cup is no cup at all. It is really playaing a few games against an assortment of team in Asian conditions. Thats what Asia cup really means.

Sports4Youth
on March 11, 2012, 7:21 GMT

Confident against Bangladesh. SHAME ON YOU, MISBALL. But your real test will come against Sri Lanka and India and then you will realise that instead of choosing your favorite players you should have chosen the best team.

Asafar
on March 11, 2012, 7:12 GMT

Coached and guided by Dave Whatmore Pakistan cricket team has been primed to win the Asia Cup tournament.Of course India and Sri Lanka are tough sides to beat but what favours Pakistan is their talent and Whatmore's guidance.Internationally hailed coach, who guided Sri Lanka to their only World Cup win,will find it comparatively easy task to mould Pakistan team with full of talent and skill to become champions.

sunnysaeed
on March 11, 2012, 7:02 GMT

Who ever win the PAKISTAN vs INDIA match will lift the cup.

Reason ... Srilanka always under pressure playing with pakistan, India dont know how they will come back after disasterous tour from Australia ( No matter they are still powerful in batting order but not in Bowling Session ).

So as Pakistan Die Hard Fan , i wish pakistan good luck and may the best team win the CUP

OhPakistan
on March 11, 2012, 6:20 GMT

Pakistan has always been "mercurial" side - can't rule them out. After the "DESERT MIRAGE" ( test series white wash ), the ODI perf. was rather 'shocking' against England. Misbah & co. will need to up the tempo and play with more ferocity.
Sri Lanka boasts the best recent form and will be a tough nut to crack. Jawed/Karachi

rahulcricket007
on March 11, 2012, 6:04 GMT

WHO CARES ABOUT ASIA CUP ? IT IS A PATHETIC TOURNAMENT .

tanweeralam
on March 11, 2012, 4:59 GMT

India will win because no matter how well lanka play they CHOKE against India
And India is far better side than bangla and pak atleast with BAT.
However, as everyone say on a given day its all about how u play on that field. not how you are on paper

AnotherCricketer
on March 11, 2012, 1:43 GMT

India & SriLanka are better teams. In this tournament, Pakistan's toughest opponent is themselves. If Pakistan can score 270+, it is game on. Otherwise, the hope continues. Cheema is the only consistent fast bowler. Gul and Riaz have a lot to prove. Spinners will need to continue to carry the team. Life goes on.

M_Rakibul_Islam
on March 11, 2012, 14:00 GMT

@ rahulcricket007: but this Pathetic(?) tournament is the only assured clash between Ind & Pak- one of the most desired contest in Cricket World. It's the contest of Prestige 4 SL, IND, PAK as well as tourney of hope of rare accidents 4m BD team against Asian Giants tough yet to happen in Asia Cup.

imranmujtaba
on March 11, 2012, 8:48 GMT

Pakistan has got best combination in Asia cup but worse captain - if he is replace by Bangladesh, indian, srilankan or Afridi , then Pakistan will win undoubtedly.
still have a chance misbah bat number 8 or 9.

Sports4Youth
on March 11, 2012, 7:24 GMT

The Asia Cup is no cup at all. It is really playaing a few games against an assortment of team in Asian conditions. Thats what Asia cup really means.

Sports4Youth
on March 11, 2012, 7:21 GMT

Confident against Bangladesh. SHAME ON YOU, MISBALL. But your real test will come against Sri Lanka and India and then you will realise that instead of choosing your favorite players you should have chosen the best team.

Asafar
on March 11, 2012, 7:12 GMT

Coached and guided by Dave Whatmore Pakistan cricket team has been primed to win the Asia Cup tournament.Of course India and Sri Lanka are tough sides to beat but what favours Pakistan is their talent and Whatmore's guidance.Internationally hailed coach, who guided Sri Lanka to their only World Cup win,will find it comparatively easy task to mould Pakistan team with full of talent and skill to become champions.

sunnysaeed
on March 11, 2012, 7:02 GMT

Who ever win the PAKISTAN vs INDIA match will lift the cup.

Reason ... Srilanka always under pressure playing with pakistan, India dont know how they will come back after disasterous tour from Australia ( No matter they are still powerful in batting order but not in Bowling Session ).

So as Pakistan Die Hard Fan , i wish pakistan good luck and may the best team win the CUP

OhPakistan
on March 11, 2012, 6:20 GMT

Pakistan has always been "mercurial" side - can't rule them out. After the "DESERT MIRAGE" ( test series white wash ), the ODI perf. was rather 'shocking' against England. Misbah & co. will need to up the tempo and play with more ferocity.
Sri Lanka boasts the best recent form and will be a tough nut to crack. Jawed/Karachi

rahulcricket007
on March 11, 2012, 6:04 GMT

WHO CARES ABOUT ASIA CUP ? IT IS A PATHETIC TOURNAMENT .

tanweeralam
on March 11, 2012, 4:59 GMT

India will win because no matter how well lanka play they CHOKE against India
And India is far better side than bangla and pak atleast with BAT.
However, as everyone say on a given day its all about how u play on that field. not how you are on paper

AnotherCricketer
on March 11, 2012, 1:43 GMT

India & SriLanka are better teams. In this tournament, Pakistan's toughest opponent is themselves. If Pakistan can score 270+, it is game on. Otherwise, the hope continues. Cheema is the only consistent fast bowler. Gul and Riaz have a lot to prove. Spinners will need to continue to carry the team. Life goes on.

shaan1112
on March 10, 2012, 23:06 GMT

I agree with Nadeem, I am an pakistan cricket team lover, will probably watch all the match as always,but i know it will be disappointment. Pakistan will lose from INDIA, as always, so sad, can never beat the indian side. Srilankan pakistan might beat . Srilanka will ending up beating india , so in three way tie , pakistan will lose. LETS JUST HOPE FOR BETTER RESULT FOR PAKISTAN. but i doubt it.

siabbasi
on March 10, 2012, 23:03 GMT

Not so excited as it appears to be super predictable series, match by match by match. SRI & IND - most likely will be in the final. Would love to be wrong and see Bang vs Pak in final - how's that for a change?

Nadeem1976
on March 10, 2012, 18:09 GMT

srilanka is going to win this tournament so why to worry when team in form is going to win easily.
I have no hopes for hopeless pakistani team , they are just not that good.
Bangladesh never a threat, India is world champ so final will be between srilanka and india and also pakistan as usual will lose main match of the tournament against india as ever.
This is boring tournament for me. Too much predictable.

No featured comments at the moment.

Nadeem1976
on March 10, 2012, 18:09 GMT

srilanka is going to win this tournament so why to worry when team in form is going to win easily.
I have no hopes for hopeless pakistani team , they are just not that good.
Bangladesh never a threat, India is world champ so final will be between srilanka and india and also pakistan as usual will lose main match of the tournament against india as ever.
This is boring tournament for me. Too much predictable.

siabbasi
on March 10, 2012, 23:03 GMT

Not so excited as it appears to be super predictable series, match by match by match. SRI & IND - most likely will be in the final. Would love to be wrong and see Bang vs Pak in final - how's that for a change?

shaan1112
on March 10, 2012, 23:06 GMT

I agree with Nadeem, I am an pakistan cricket team lover, will probably watch all the match as always,but i know it will be disappointment. Pakistan will lose from INDIA, as always, so sad, can never beat the indian side. Srilankan pakistan might beat . Srilanka will ending up beating india , so in three way tie , pakistan will lose. LETS JUST HOPE FOR BETTER RESULT FOR PAKISTAN. but i doubt it.

AnotherCricketer
on March 11, 2012, 1:43 GMT

India & SriLanka are better teams. In this tournament, Pakistan's toughest opponent is themselves. If Pakistan can score 270+, it is game on. Otherwise, the hope continues. Cheema is the only consistent fast bowler. Gul and Riaz have a lot to prove. Spinners will need to continue to carry the team. Life goes on.

tanweeralam
on March 11, 2012, 4:59 GMT

India will win because no matter how well lanka play they CHOKE against India
And India is far better side than bangla and pak atleast with BAT.
However, as everyone say on a given day its all about how u play on that field. not how you are on paper

rahulcricket007
on March 11, 2012, 6:04 GMT

WHO CARES ABOUT ASIA CUP ? IT IS A PATHETIC TOURNAMENT .

OhPakistan
on March 11, 2012, 6:20 GMT

Pakistan has always been "mercurial" side - can't rule them out. After the "DESERT MIRAGE" ( test series white wash ), the ODI perf. was rather 'shocking' against England. Misbah & co. will need to up the tempo and play with more ferocity.
Sri Lanka boasts the best recent form and will be a tough nut to crack. Jawed/Karachi

sunnysaeed
on March 11, 2012, 7:02 GMT

Who ever win the PAKISTAN vs INDIA match will lift the cup.

Reason ... Srilanka always under pressure playing with pakistan, India dont know how they will come back after disasterous tour from Australia ( No matter they are still powerful in batting order but not in Bowling Session ).

So as Pakistan Die Hard Fan , i wish pakistan good luck and may the best team win the CUP

Asafar
on March 11, 2012, 7:12 GMT

Coached and guided by Dave Whatmore Pakistan cricket team has been primed to win the Asia Cup tournament.Of course India and Sri Lanka are tough sides to beat but what favours Pakistan is their talent and Whatmore's guidance.Internationally hailed coach, who guided Sri Lanka to their only World Cup win,will find it comparatively easy task to mould Pakistan team with full of talent and skill to become champions.

Sports4Youth
on March 11, 2012, 7:21 GMT

Confident against Bangladesh. SHAME ON YOU, MISBALL. But your real test will come against Sri Lanka and India and then you will realise that instead of choosing your favorite players you should have chosen the best team.